Holder with feeding arrangement for the positive electrode of alpha searchlight



' April 22,1930. F. MEYER l,755;551

HOLDER WITH FEEDING ARRANGEMENT FOR THE POSITIVE ELECTRODE OF A SEARCHIIIGHT Filed June 2'7. 1928 Jn wen/or:

' tively near its front end. An

' 4 a diagrammatic view of a switch,

Patented Apr. 22, 1930 UNITED STATES FRANZ MEYER, OF JENA, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO THE FIRM PATENT! OFFICE GERMANY HOLDER WITH FEEDING ARRANGEMENT FOR THE POSITIVE ELECTRODE 0] A SEARCHLIGH'I Application fil ed June 27, 1928, Serial No. 288,785, and in Germany June 29, 1927.

The present invention relates to a holder for the positive electrode of a Searchlight, where the electrode is continuously rotatedas for instance is the case in the so-called Becklampand where the holder is provided with an arrangement by which the positive electrode when in operation is moved forward at times so as to ensure the arc to be invariably in the focal point of the collecting system of the searchlight.

According to the invention the arrangement destined to feed and to revolve the positive electrode is constructed as follows:

Near the front (burnin end of the electrode clamps are providecfi capable of rotating about the electrode axis, the clamps connected with simultaneously revolving rods, running in the direction from the front (burning) end towards the rear, by the aid of which rods the clamps are ressed u on the electrode from the rear an moved orward together with same. In this way one obtains an electrode feeding device which can be made very simple, permitting the feeding device to grip the electrode at a point comparaadvantage is thereby derived in that the electrodes may be consumed except for a particularly small remainder.

The annexed drawing shows a constructional example of the holding device according to the present invention.

Fig. 1 of the drawing represents a plan of the device, partly drawn in a section and partly in a side view, Fig. 2 a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a diagrammatic view of thearrangement effecting the forward motion of the repeatedly mentioned rods, Fig. and Fig. 5 a section on the line 55 of Fig. 1.

In an angle piece a, which is intended-to be fixed within the searchlight and the upper end of which is constructed as a bearing, a sleeve 12, having a flange constructed as a bevel gear a, is rotatably disposed. This bevel gear cooperates with a second bevel gear d supported on the shaft of a motor '01. The motor d is attached to the angle piece a. The sleeve 6 is screwed together with a second sleeve e carrying four rods 7. These rods are provided with oblong recesses into which catches e which are attached to sleeve e, engage, so that rods f are taken along when sleeve e rotates. The rods, furthermore, are fixed in a way permitting their being shifted lengthways. By means of the springs which are fastened to the sleeve e on one sidb and to the rods 7 on the other and which lie in the recessesf of the rods f, the rods (as seen in Fig. l) invariably are drawn towards the right. On the left-hand side (as seen in Fig. 1) the rods 7 are provided with recesses f in which there are fixed short levers h capable of rotating about pivots h. To the outer ends of these levers there are hin ed rods 2' which also are capable of bein shied lengthways in sleeve e. .At the rig t hand end the rods f have been shaped as handles 7, passin through and protruding out of sleeve e w ere the rods 2' are provided with a small pin 2' to prevent them from slip ing too far into sleeve e. To the inner ends of the levers 7:. diamonds b are attached. Sleeve 6 is intended to take an electrode Each oil. the levers it represents a clamp to hold the electrode the front (burning) end of which comes to lie near the levers. If, for instance, the rods f retain their position, and if the rods 1' be shifted forward, the points of the diamonds will rip into the electrode, thus clamping same Eetween the levers. end of each of the rods f has a in p screwed in. Opposite the rear ends of these rods f a body is fixed to free] rotate on sleeve e. Opposite the rods 2' this liody is bounded by two helical surfaces j and j and opposite the pin p byoblique surfaces 0. Th helical surfaces i 3' and the surfaces 0 are arranged is shown in Figures 3 and 5. In Fig. 3 the arrangement of these surfaces is illustrated. The body 7' carries a spur gear 7" which forms the one crown wheel of a returningplanet gear the second crown gear of which is represented by a spur gear is firmly connected to sleeve e and of somewhat smaller diameter than wheel 7'. The planet wheels of this gear are formed by two spur gears is and k which are mounted on one and the same shaft and which are supported in a toothed freely rotatable on sleeve e. Op-

wheel k CARL ZEISS, OI J'ENA,

The back ,posite this pinion a latch Z movable about axle l is provided for'on a bracket a. By means of a s ring Z the latch is held in the position as s own in drawin not engage the toothed whee h The latch also is connected to a rod 172. carrying a core iron m at its lower end. The core iron inimerses into a solenoid 711 connected in series to a source of current'n and to a selenium cell n (of. Fig.4). Cell n is attached laterally in the casm of the searchlight. Between the cell and t e are an optical system a is provided for projecting an image of the arc, whereby an arrangement is made permitting this image to appear at a point next to the light-entering aperture of the cell so long as the arc lies within the focal point of the reflector, and to enter the light-entrance aperture of the cell whenever a change occurs in the positionof the are as is the result of the consumption of the positive electrode. At the front end of sleeve e there finally is fitted a disc 9 the crosswise hatched part of which consists of quartz and the remainder of metal. A brush 9, sliding on this disc, is attached to the casing of the motor (1 and serves to con-.

vey the current to the electrode which latter is connected to sleeve 6 by means of plate springs s.

The device shown is operated in the following manner. Bevel gear 0 together with sleeve 6 and the spur gear k, as well as rods with the pins p and the rods 11 are rotated means of motor (1. Thereby the rods f with the levers h, ,and-when the electrode is inserted-also the rods '11 will be drawn by springs g to the rear until the rods z lie on the helical surfaces j and 7' or the pins p on the slide surfaces 0. If then the latch 1 is not engaging the toothed wheel k, i. e., if the arc of the lamp lies within the focal point of the Searchlight reflector, the. rods 71 and pins p will shift forward the slide surfaces 7', and 0, thus taking along wheel 1', while the two planet wheels is and k will also revolve, together with the toothed wheel 7c, about the axis of the crown wheels, whereas theydo not rotate about their own axis. Once, however, a certain length of the electrode is consumed and the image of the are projected by lens a falling into the lightentering aperture of selenium cell a, the resistance of cell n will reduce, making a comparatively strong current flow through the solenoid m As a result, the latter attracts the core iron m bringing the latch Z to engage the toothed wheel k? and thus prevents further rotation of same. With the aid of the planet wheels k and k the rotation of wheel is is then conveyed to wheel j whichhaving a greater diameter than wheel is, as

previously mentionedrotates somewhat slower than wheel k, and, consequently, remains somewhat behind of the rods f and with the pins 12, and the rods i, whereby body where it does,

by the pins p and 7' is caused to rotate relatively to the rods in the direction of the arrow shown in Figures 3 and 5. The following occurs if then the position of the rods is such as illustrated in the drawing: The two rods iin the middle of the helical surfaces 7' and i are moved for ward, viz. in the direction of the burning end of the electrode 10, and thus not only cause the diamond points of the two corresponding levers h to be pressed into the electrode, but at the same time a gradual movement forward of the electrode together with the two corresponding levers h and rods f, and this even contrary to theaction of the springs g. During this time the corresponding pins p are not in touch with the surface of the body 7' but at a certain distance. In the drawing the two other rods 71 are shown to just have reached the ends of the helical surfaces 7' and j, and, if turned. a little more, they would glide off quite suddenly, thus giving way to the tension of the respective springs g which, as mentioned above, tend to draw the rods 7 in backward direction. This sudden pull is, however, avoided the slide surfaces 0, for, as soon as one of the rods '5 leaves the end of the helical surface, the respective pin p comes into touch with one of the slide surfaces 0 and is caused to glide downwards on the 'same, which means that the backward movement of the ap ertaining rod f can take lace only in accor ance with the said glidmg in downward direction. In this manner the electrode is moved forward by always at least two rods 2', which are opposite to one another, and is latched at intervals until the arc lies within the focal point of the reflector. As may be seen in the arrangement trode, rotatable about the axis of the elec-- trode, a motor running continuously in the same direction, means for coupli the holder to the said motor, a number of c am s fixed to the said holder near the front en of the electrode, a number of rods extending from the clamps towards the rear end of the holder, the rods being attached to the holder and capable of being shifted in the direction of said axis, and means for shifting these rods in the direction of said axis, the rods, when moved, being adapted to tighten or loosen the said clamps and to move them in the direction of said axis.

2. In a holding device for the positive electrode of a Searchlight, a holder for the electrode, rotatable about the axis of the electrode, a motor running continuously in the same direction, means for coupling the holder to the said motor, a number of clamps fixed to the said holder near the front end of the electrode, a number of rods extendin from the clamps towards the rear end of'the older, the rods being attached to the holder and capable of bein shifted in the direction of said axis, a body isposed in the device at the rear end of the said holder and capable of rotating about the said axis, this body containing helical surfaces 1 ing opposite the rear ends of these rods and coacting with them, and means for rotating this body relatively to the holder about the said axis, the rods being adapted when moved by turning the said body-to tighten or loosen the said clamps and to move them in the direction of said axis.

3. In a holding device for the positive electrode of a searohlight, a holder for the electrode, rotatable about the axis of the electrode, a motor runnin continuousl in the same direction, means or coupling t e holder to the said motor, a number of clamps fixed to the said holder near the front end of the electrode, a number of rods extendin from the clamps towards the rear end of the holder, the rods being attached to the holder and capable of being shifted in the direction of said axis, a body disposed in the device at the rear end of the said holder and capable of rotating about the said axis, this body containing helical surfaces lying opposite the rear ends of these rods and coacting with them, a pinion connected to the said holder, another pinion of different diameter connected to the said body, and two additional pinions one each of which en ges one of the aforesaid two pinions, an supported on a shaft which lies parallel to the said axis and is capable of being rotated about same, and means for locking the said shaft, the rods being ad aptedwhen moved by turning the said body-to tighten or loosen the said clamps and to move them in the .direction of said axis.

4. In a holding device for the positive electrode of a searchlight, a holder for the electrode, rotatable about the axis of the electrode, a motor running continuously in the same direction, means for coupling the holder to the said motor, a number of clam s fixed to the said holder near the front en of the electrode, a number of rods extending from the clamps towards the rear end of the holder, the rods being attached to the holder and capable of being shifted in the direction of said axis, a body disposed in the device at the rear end of the said holder and capable of rotating about the said axis, this body containing helical surfaces lying opposite the rear ends of these rods and coacting with them, a pinion connected to the said holder, another pinion of difi'erent diameter connected to the said body, and two additional pinions one each of which an ages one of the aforesaid two pinions, an supported on a shaft which lies parallel to the said axis,',a toothed wheel capable of rotating about the said axis, the said shaft being rotatably supported in this toothed wheel, a latch disposed in the device aud adapted to engage the toothed wheel, and means for controlling this latch, the rods being adaptedwhen moved by turning the said body-to tighten or loosen the said clamps and to move them in the direction of said axis.

5. In a holding device for the positive electrode of a Searchlight, a holder for the electrode, rotatable about the axis of the electrode, a motor runningcontinuously in the same direction, means for coupling the holder to the said motor, a number of clamps fixed to the said holder near the front end of the electrode, a number of rods extending from the clamps towards the rear end of the hold er, the rod being attached to the holder and capable of being shifted in the direction-of said axis, and means for shifting forward part of these rods in the direction of said axis, and for drawing back the remaining ones and vice versa, the rods being adapted-when movedto tighten or loosen the said clamps and move them in the direction of said ax1s.-

6. In a holding device for the positive elec-' trode of a Searchlight, a holder for the electrode, a motor running continuously in the trode, rotatable about the axis of the elec- I same direction, means for coupling the holder Y to the said motor, a number of levers lying in radial planes and facing the said axis, the 4 said levers being adapted to lie against the said electrode with their inner ends. a number of rods supported by the said holder and capable of being shifted in the direction of said axis, the said levers being mounted in swing-out fashion at the front end of these rods, a like number of other rodscapable of shifting in the, direction of the axisbeing mounted on the holder, the said levers being floatinglyconnected with their outer ends to the second named rods, and means for displacing the latterrods in the direction of the said axis.

7. In a holding device according to claim. I

6 a number of springs connected to the rods named in first place adapted 'to draw them back.

8. In a holding device for the positive electrode of a searchlight, a holder for the elec= trode, rotatable about the axis of the electrode,'a motor running continuously in the same direction, means for coupling the holder to the said motor, a number of levers lying in radial planes and facing the said axis, and which are adapted to lie against the said electrode with their inner ends, a number of rods su ported by the said holder and capable 0 being shifted in the direction of said axis, the said levers being mounted inswingout fashion at the front end'of these rods, a number of springs connected to'these rods and adapted to draw them back, a like num- K direction of the axis-being mounte ber of other rods-capable ofshiftin in the on the holder, the said levers being floatingly connected with their outer ends to the rods named in the second place, a body at the rear end of the said holder and capable of rotating about the said. axis, this body containing helical surfaces lying opposite the rear ends of the rods'named in the second place and coacting with them, and means for rotating this body relatively to the holder about the said axis.

9. In a holding device according to claim 8, the said body being equipped with inclined slide surfaces lying o posite the rear ends of the first named rocs and coacting with them.

10. In a holding device for the positive electrode of a searchlight, a holder for the electrode, rotatable about the axis of the electrode, a motor running continuously in the same direction, means for coupling the holder to the said motor, a number of levers lying in radial planes and facing the said axis. the said levers being adapted to lie against the said electrode with their inner ends, an even number of rods supported by the said holder and capable of being shifted in the direction of said axis, the said levers being attached in swing-0ut fashion to the front end of these rods, a like number of other rods mounted on the holder and capable of shifting in the direction of the said axis, the said levers being floatingly connected with their outer ends to the rods named in the second place, a body disposed in the device at the rear end of the said holder and capable of rotating about the said axis, this body containing helical surfaces half in number of the rods named in the second place, the helical surfaces lying opposite the rear ends of these rods and coacting with them, the said body being equipped with inclined slide surfaces same 1n number as the helical surfaces, these sliding-surfaces lying opposite the rear end of the first-named rods and coacting with them, and a number of springs connected with the first named rods and adapted to hold the rear ends of the latter in contact with the said slide surfaces.

11. In a holding device according to claim 6 a number of springs connected to the firstnamed rods and adapted to draw them back, each of the first-named rods being equipped with a handle in order to allow them to be displaced contrary to the action of the springs.

12. In a holding device according to claim 6 each of the said levers being at its inner .end equipped with a diamond point.

FRANZ MEYER. 

